Đurić hosts the French Minister of Foreign Affairs

Assessing the visit as historic, the head of Serbian diplomacy expressed his satisfaction at hosting his French counterpart—a representative of a country of immense political, economic, cultural, and historical importance to Serbia—with which Serbia is bound by a strategic partnership marking its 15th anniversary this year.

“During this visit, we discussed the overall bilateral relations between Serbia and France, and I am pleased to say that they are characterized by steady progress, based, inter alia, on the remarkably close relationship between our two Presidents, Vučić and Macron. This relationship has also resulted in a genuine boom in economic cooperation between our two countries over the past several years,” Minister Đurić emphasized.

In recent years, Đurić recalled, there has been a significant increase in French investments in Serbia.

“Together with our French partners, we are modernizing our infrastructure—from transport projects such as the Belgrade Metro and Belgrade Airport, to various initiatives important for environmental protection, new technologies, and outstanding cooperation in the modernization of our defense sector, which has also become a significant segment of our cooperation,” he noted.

He added that the visit provided an opportunity to discuss all these aspects of bilateral cooperation and ways to make the strategic partnership—now mature and continuously advancing—even more effective in the years ahead.

“Today also saw the signing of a joint statement by Serbia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Siniša Mali, and our distinguished guest, marking the start of the first phase of construction of the Belgrade Metro, which is of particular importance to the citizens of Belgrade, as well as the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for the construction of the Veliko Selo Collector Project, Phase 1. These are concrete confirmations of the development of our relations,” Minister Đurić said.

He further underscored the exceptionally well-developed high-level political dialogue between Serbia and France, adding that he and his French counterpart also discussed all key issues, including European integration, given that Serbia’s strategic priority is to become a member of the European Union as soon as possible.

“We are very grateful to President Macron and to our dear guest Jean-Noël for their vision of a large, strong, and united Europe that will consolidate the strength of all of us and help us jointly respond to the global challenges facing our continent. The consequences of these developments affect each and every one of us, and therefore it is more necessary than ever that we work together. This is why we are grateful for France’s support for the opening of Cluster 3, and I would like to state here, in the presence of our guests, that Serbia will double its efforts in reforms and in implementing the European agenda in order to be admitted to the European Union as soon as possible,” Đurić said.

According to him, discussions with Minister Barrot also covered the situation in Kosovo and Metohija. He briefed his guest on the problems faced by the Serbian population in the area, pointed to the intensification of pressures in 2025, and informed him of the circumstances in which the local population lives.

Turning to upcoming projects, the Serbian Foreign Minister highlighted discussions on enhancing joint action at the regional level.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our guests for France’s participation in Expo 2027 in Belgrade. For us, Expo is an event we expect to have a transformative role in the development of both Belgrade and Serbia, and we are incredibly pleased that France will be represented and present at this global exhibition,” Minister Đurić stated.

He announced that later today, as part of the visit, he and Minister Barrot would lay wreaths at the Monument of Gratitude to France.

“In the hearts of every citizen of this country, I dare say, there is a profound historical friendship and a strong memory of the tradition of alliance that existed during the most difficult historical periods, and we feel fully committed in our time to continue and further strengthen that alliance,” Minister Đurić concluded.

The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the Republic of France, Jean-Noël Barrot, expressed his satisfaction that his first visit of the year was to Belgrade, during which he held constructive and substantive discussions with the highest officials of the Republic of Serbia.

Barrot referred to the traditional friendship between the two peoples and states, the strategic partnership, and strong economic cooperation, and conveyed France’s clear support for Serbia’s European integration.

“France will continue to support Serbia’s European aspirations. The pace of the accession process depends primarily on the efforts you make to meet the membership criteria. On Serbia’s path toward membership in the European Union, France will stand by your side,” the French Foreign Minister emphasized.

Barrot stated that today’s meeting also addressed the further strengthening of political and economic cooperation, noting that economic cooperation is reflected in major infrastructure projects, collaboration in sustainable development, wastewater treatment, and artificial intelligence. He also noted discussions regarding France’s participation in the Specialized Expo 2027.

The Belgrade–Pristina dialogue was likewise discussed, with Barrot stating that France strongly supports the activities of the EU Special Representative.